Almost 33% of employees say their mental health is hurting productivity
Financial insecurity and mental health pressures are weighing heavily on New Zealand employees, with a new report revealing two in five have no emergency savings and more than half are burdened by financial stress.
The findings, published in the latest TELUS Mental Health Index, shows growing economic and emotional strain across the country’s workforce, especially among women and those in regions such as Waikato and Northland. TELUS Health general manager for New Zealand Julie Cressey said the challenges were driven by “the current economic climate coupled with job instability and mental health challenges.”
“With financial concerns topping the list of personal stress for over half of working people in New Zealand, we’re witnessing a significant ripple effect across communities and workplaces,” said Cressey.
“Women and individuals in regions like Waikato and Northland are bearing the brunt of this economic uncertainty. A one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t suffice in addressing these complex, localised challenges.”
The Index showed that 54% of employees cited financial concerns as their primary source of personal stress, while 31% admitted their mental health was hurting their productivity. Additionally, 40% of respondents reported feeling overwhelmed.
The national mental health score stood at 60.6 out of 100 in the second quarter of 2025, with Waikato reporting the lowest score (58.0). In contrast, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay led with the highest regional scores (63.2), while Northland posted a notable 4.7-point improvement since January.
Women’s mental health score (58.9) lagged behind men’s (62.4), highlighting a persistent gender disparity. Meanwhile, parents reported even lower scores, driven by concern for their children’s wellbeing. Their mental health ratings were seven points below the national average, with 35% of parents expressing guilt over limited time with family.
Workplace culture played a pivotal role in mental wellbeing, with family-friendly environments linked to higher mental health scores. Employees in such workplaces averaged 62.8, more than two points above the national average. Among working parents supported by colleagues, the score rose to 64.5.
“Employers who champion family-friendly workplaces and prioritise employee wellbeing cultivate more engaged teams,” said Paula Allen, global leader of research and client insights at TELUS Health.
The Index, based on survey responses from 1,000 employed New Zealanders between March 14 and 27, uses a scoring system to measure mental health from 0 to 100. Scores under 50 indicate distress, 50 to 79 signal strain, and 80 or above reflect optimal mental health.
The report urges organisations to adopt tailored mental health strategies and offers a free online assessment tool to evaluate existing support systems.
